Chevy Volt: It's the battery, stupid

If only we could plug some Energizers into the Volt

I'm participating in the GM next event today which is focused on the future of GM. One of the hottest topics is the Chevy Volt, and the key to the Volt is the battery technology.

"The enabler for both plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles is in having the right combination of specific energy and specific power with the capability of being able to repeatedly deplete the state of charge of the battery," Gary Smyth, Director of Powertrain Systems Research Laboratory stated.

While GM is "encouraged by the progress" that GM and their suppliers are making in this area, the problem isn't just technological. "Driving down the cost curve of the complex sub-systems, for example, batteries, the challenge on cost is huge."

Complex technology and high costs. I guess it really isn't that surprising that GM won't commit to a 2010 Volt launch.